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Automotive accessory installer vs heavy vehicle technician

The differences between automotive accessory installers and heavy vehicle technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an automotive accessory installer and a heavy vehicle technician. Additionally, a heavy vehicle technician has an average salary of $38,006, which is higher than the $33,261 average annual salary of an automotive accessory installer.

The top three skills for an automotive accessory installer include customer vehicles, GPS and alarm systems. The most important skills for a heavy vehicle technician are DOT, hand tools, and CDL.

Automotive accessory installer vs heavy vehicle technician overview

Automotive Accessory InstallerHeavy Vehicle Technician
Yearly salary$33,261$38,006
Hourly rate$15.99$18.27
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs48,085108,284
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Automotive accessory installer vs heavy vehicle technician salary

Automotive accessory installers and heavy vehicle technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive Accessory InstallerHeavy Vehicle Technician
Average salary$33,261$38,006
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $45,000Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Foster City, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Bruce Transportation Group
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between automotive accessory installer and heavy vehicle technician education

There are a few differences between an automotive accessory installer and a heavy vehicle technician in terms of educational background:

Automotive Accessory InstallerHeavy Vehicle Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive accessory installer vs heavy vehicle technician demographics

Here are the differences between automotive accessory installers' and heavy vehicle technicians' demographics:

Automotive Accessory InstallerHeavy Vehicle Technician
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 94.2% Female, 5.8%Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.1% Asian, 4.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between automotive accessory installer and heavy vehicle technician duties and responsibilities

Automotive accessory installer example responsibilities.

  • Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
  • Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.
  • Install all types of car audio/video/security/accessory equipment to MECP standards.

Heavy vehicle technician example responsibilities.

  • Hire specifically to test and troubleshoot main components and sub assemblies.
  • Work though rotation of all branches of auto troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair.
  • Assign with diagnosis and repair of chassis, electrical, hydraulic and water pump systems.
  • Inspect, test, troubleshoot, repair and adjust electrical, hydraulic, fire control, mechanical and firing systems.
  • Demonstrate dependability and reliability by being punctual, working assign shifts, and completing responsibilities in a timely manner.
  • repair vehicles for a/c brakes, hybrid vehicles, transmissions, electronic and computer diag
  • Show more

Automotive accessory installer vs heavy vehicle technician skills

Common automotive accessory installer skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 77%
  • GPS, 8%
  • Alarm Systems, 6%
  • Automotive Accessories, 5%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
Common heavy vehicle technician skills
  • DOT, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • CDL, 10%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 4%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%

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